Methods for adapting beam scanning frequencies in millimeter wave systems

ABSTRACT

Technology herein selectively adjusts the frequency with which beam scanning is performed. Systems and methods herein determine present conditions of the UE and determine whether adjusting the current frequency of beam scanning is desired. Based at least on the present conditions, the current frequency may be reduced, increased, or maintained in order to balance the use of processing resources with the instability of channels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/910,485, entitled, “METHODS FOR ADAPTING BEAM SCANNING FREQUENCIES INMILLIMETER WAVE SYSTEMS,” filed on Mar. 2, 2018, and claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/476,325, entitled,“METHODS FOR ADAPTING BEAM SCANNING FREQUENCIES IN MILLIMETER WAVESYSTEMS,” filed on Mar. 24, 2017, the disclosures of both of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety as if frillyset forth below and for all applicable purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wirelesscommunication systems, and more particularly, to selectively adjustingthe frequency of performing beam scanning. Certain embodiments of thetechnology discussed below determine when circumstances warrant thereduction, increase, maintenance of the current frequency of beamscanning and allow systems to adjust the frequency accordingly.

INTRODUCTION

The use of wireless communication devices has diversified over time, andusers expect endlessly increasing services on their User Equipment (UE).UEs are no longer restricted to phone calls and email access. Rather,users are more likely use their devices for live video calls, streaminghigh definition multimedia, playing real-time interactive games, andmore. Wireless communication systems are tasked with uplinking anddownlinking significantly more amounts of data in significantly lessamounts of time in order to keep up with the new UE applications usersdemand.

In response, the industry moved toward Long-Term Evolution (LTE)standards to keep up with the increased demand for data. LTE enabledcommunication systems to increase the amount of data being transmittedthrough the air yet the frequency spectrum used by LTE has been unableto keep pace with user demands. Bound to a frequency spectrum that istoo crowded to support the ever increasing data transmissions, LTEcommunications have been plagued with high latency issues and a limitedamount of space for data transmissions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure toprovide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summaryis not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of thedisclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or critical elementsof all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any orall aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present someconcepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in summary form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a method that selectively adjusts abeam scanning frequency for wireless transmission is provided. Forexample, a method can include performing beam scanning at an assignedfrequency. Further the method may include determining a rate of changeand based at least on the determined rate of change, adjusting afrequency at which the beam scanning is performed. For example, themethod may include performing beam scanning at a lesser frequency ascompared to an assigned frequency by skipping one or more scheduledscannings of the assigned frequency and/or performing beam scanning at alesser frequency as compared to an assigned frequency by changing theassigned frequency to the lesser frequency. Thereafter, in embodiments,the method may include returning the performing of the beam scanning tothe assigned frequency.

In embodiments, the determined rate of change is a mobility rate ofchange, and the method compares the determined mobility rate of changeto a mobility threshold range, wherein the adjusting is based at leaston the comparing. Further, the determined rate of change may be a beamvariance rate of change, and the method may compare the determined beamvariance rate of change to a beam variance threshold range, wherein theadjusting is based at least on the comparing. Further, in someembodiments, rather than changing the frequency at any given time basedon a determined rate of change, the method may decide to maintain theassigned frequency.

In an additional aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus that selectivelyadjusts a beam scanning frequency for wireless transmission is provided.For example, the apparatus can include means for performing beamscanning at an assigned frequency. Further the apparatus may includemeans for determining a rate of change and based at least on thedetermined rate of change, adjusting a frequency at which the beamscanning is performed. For example, the apparatus may include means forperforming beam scanning at a lesser frequency as compared to anassigned frequency by skipping one and/or more scheduled scannings ofthe assigned frequency or performing beam scanning at a lesser frequencyas compared to an assigned frequency by changing the assigned frequencyto the lesser frequency. Thereafter, in embodiments, the apparatus mayinclude means for returning the performing of the beam scanning to theassigned frequency.

In embodiments, the determined rate of change is a mobility rate ofchange, and the apparatus compares the determined mobility rate ofchange to a mobility threshold range, wherein the adjusting is based atleast on the comparing. Further, the determined rate of change may be abeam variance rate of change, and the apparatus may comprise means forcomparing the determined beam variance rate of change to a beam variancethreshold range, wherein the adjusting is based at least on thecomparing. Further, in some embodiments, rather than changing thefrequency at any given time based on a determined rate of change, theapparatus may decide to maintain the assigned frequency.

In an additional aspect of the disclosure, a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon isprovided. The program code can include code to selectively adjust a beamscanning frequency for wireless transmission. For example, the programcode may perform beam scanning at an assigned frequency. Further theprogram code can determine a rate of change and based at least on thedetermined rate of change, adjust a frequency at which the beam scanningis performed. For example, program code can perform beam scanning at alesser frequency as compared to an assigned frequency by skipping one ormore scheduled scannings of the assigned frequency and/or perform beamscanning at a lesser frequency as compared to an assigned frequency bychanging the assigned frequency to the lesser frequency. Thereafter, inembodiments, program code can return the performing of the beam scanningto the assigned frequency.

In embodiments, the determined rate of change is a mobility rate ofchange, and the program code compares the determined mobility rate ofchange to a mobility threshold range, wherein the adjusting is based atleast on the comparing. Further, the determined rate of change may be abeam variance rate of change, and the apparatus may comprise means forcomparing the determined beam variance rate of change to a beam variancethreshold range, wherein the adjusting is based at least on thecomparing. Further, in some embodiments, rather than changing thefrequency at any given time based on a determined rate of change, theprogram code can decide to maintain the assigned frequency.

In an additional aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus that selectivelyadjusts a beam scanning frequency for wireless transmission is provided.The apparatus includes at least one processor, and a memory coupled tothe processor. For example, the processor may perform beam scanning atan assigned frequency. Further the processor can determine a rate ofchange, and based at least on the determined rate of change, adjust afrequency at which the beam scanning is performed. For example,processor can perform beam scanning at a lesser frequency as compared toan assigned frequency by skipping one or more scheduled scannings of theassigned frequency and/or perform beam scanning at a lesser frequency ascompared to an assigned frequency by changing the assigned frequency tothe lesser frequency. Thereafter, in embodiments, processor can returnthe performing of the beam scanning to the assigned frequency.

In embodiments, the determined rate of change is a mobility rate ofchange, and the processor compares the determined mobility rate ofchange to a mobility threshold range, wherein the adjusting is based atleast on the comparing. Further, the determined rate of change may be abeam variance rate of change, and the processor may compare thedetermined beam variance rate of change to a beam variance thresholdrange, wherein the adjusting is based at least on the comparing.Further, in some embodiments, rather than changing the frequency at anygiven time based on a determined rate of change, the processor decide tomaintain the assigned frequency.

Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present invention willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, upon reviewingthe following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Whilefeatures of the present invention may be discussed relative to certainembodiments and figures below, all embodiments of the present inventioncan include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein.In other words, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as havingcertain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also beused in accordance with the various embodiments of the inventiondiscussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may bediscussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it should beunderstood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in variousdevices, systems, and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentdisclosure may be realized by reference to the following drawings. Inthe appended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating details of a wirelesscommunication system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a design of a basestation/eNB/gNB and a UE configured according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a UE configuredaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an example method of adjusting a beam scanning frequencyaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 4A is an example method of adjusting a beam scanning frequencyaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 4B is an example method of adjusting a beam scanning frequencyaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 4C is an example method of adjusting a beam scanning frequencyaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an example method of adjusting a beam scanning frequencyaccording to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below, in connection with theappended drawings, is intended as a description of various possibleconfigurations and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.Rather, the detailed description includes specific details for thepurpose of providing a thorough understanding of the inventive subjectmatter. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thesespecific details are not required in every case and that, in someinstances, well-known structures and components are shown in blockdiagram form for clarity of presentation.

User demand for more data is continuing to grow. So, an increase inavailable spectrum is desired. More spectrum is available in themillimeter frequencies, which occupy the frequency spectrum of about 30GHz to 300 GHz. The millimeter frequencies provide significantly morespectrum as compared to the microwave frequencies, which only occupy upto 30 GHz. In short, millimeter frequencies offer eight times morespectrum real estate. As such, millimeter frequencies offer theavailable spectrum wireless users are looking for.

Millimeter frequencies, also called the millimeter band, comprises wavesof millimeter length, e.g., wavelengths in the 1 mm-10 mm range. Amillimeter wave system may be abbreviated as mmW. Not only does themillimeter band lend to more spectrum real estate, but mmWs permithigher data digital rates as compared to microwaves. For example, mmWsoffer upwards of 10 Gbits per second while microwaves are generallylimited to about 1 Gbit per second. The millimeter band providessignificantly more frequencies for use in data transmission and provideshigher data rates, which lead to communications having ultra-lowlatencies.

That being said, mmWs experience harsher propagation conditions ascompared to microwave frequencies. For example, due to the small lengthof the waveform, mmWs have high atmospheric attenuation and are moreeasily absorbed by gasses in the atmosphere. Millimeter waves' powerloss is at least one of the reasons the spectrum has not been previouslyused for wireless communication. Such power loss leads to poorthroughput and previously made the mmW spectrum practically unusable.

Beamforming precision provides a solution to the propagation issues ofmmWs. In embodiments, codebooks may be used to zoom in on the mostpowerful mmW clusters. For example, code books may comprise a list ofbeam weights that take beam directionality into account. For example,each beam in the code book may have a directionality differenceaccording to degrees (e.g., 15 degree difference between beams). A UEand its serving base station may share the code book. In embodiments,the UE and its base station may scan through the code book to determinewhich of the beams point to the top mmW clusters at that time. Byforming a beam having the directionality that points to one of the topmmW clusters at that time, the propagation issues of mmW may beresolved.

That being said, mmW channels lack stability. As such, the mmW clusterof choice changes more frequently as compared to LTE. A mmW cluster thatis strong at time t₁ may suffer serious propagation issues and alltogether be absorbed by the atmosphere in a matter of milliseconds.Thus, once a beam is selected from the code book, the beams may lose itseffectiveness quickly.

Increasing the frequency of selecting a beam, for example via code bookscanning, provides a solution to the channel instability experienced bymmWs. In short, systems and methods herein are able to overcome mmWs'instability by conducting beam sweeping (a.k.a., beam scanning) morefrequently as compared to LTE technology. LTE performs beam scanningabout every 320 ms. Embodiments herein increase the beam scanningfrequency for mmWs by reducing the period of time between respectivescans. For example, beam scanning may be performed as frequently asevery 1 ms, 5 ms, 10 ms, 15 ms, 20 ms, and the like. The time periodbetween respective beam scans establish the frequency with which beamscans are conducted (e.g., the beam scanning frequency).

That being said, increased beam scanning leads to hardware processingproblems. Beam scanning consumes a significant amount of processingrecourses, power, and time. As such, increasing beam scanning (e.g., bya factor of 64 or more) causes significant battery power consumptiom.Such battery consumption leads to shortened device use time and causesuser dissatisfaction. Further, the increased processing causes anincrease in ambient hardware temperatures. Ambient hardware temperatureincreases lead to hardware failure and cause further userdissatisfaction.

Embodiments herein provide solutions to these processing problems byselectively adjusting the frequency of the beam scanning whenappropriate. For example, systems and methods herein may determine anideal beam scanning frequency and adjust a processor's beam scanningfrequency to match that. For instance, systems and methods may determinea beam's rate of change and adjust the scanning frequency based at leaston that rate of change. In embodiments, an estimated rate of change maybe determined, and the scanning frequency may be increased or decreasedbased on the estimated rate of change.

Determining the rate of change may be performed in various ways. Forexample, systems and methods may determine a rate of change based on aUE's location with reference to its serving base station and/or cluster.Additionally or alternatively, the rate of change may be based on anumber of beam changes made over a number of beam sweeps. Additionallyor alternatively, a rate of change may be based on an orientation of aUE (e.g., landscape orientation vs. portrait orientation, north facingvs. east facing, and the like). Various ways of determining a rate ofchange are disclosed herein.

Scanning frequency adjustments may be performed in a variety of ways.For example, selectable scanning frequencies may include periods of 1ms, 5 ms, 10 ms, 15 ms, 20 ms, and/or the like. In such examples,systems and methods may select a period that matches an ideal scanningfrequency at that time. Additionally or alternatively, adjustingscanning frequencies may involve skipping scheduled scans. For example,systems and methods may choose to skip one or more scheduled beam scanand/or perform beam scanning once for every n number of scheduled scans.For example, if a scanning period is set at 10 ms, a processer may skipnine of every ten scans thereby effectively operating under a scanningperiod of 100 ms. Various ways of adjusting the scanning frequency aredisclosed herein.

In various embodiments, the techniques and apparatus may be used forwireless communication networks such as code division multiple access(CDMA) networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) networks,frequency division multiple access (FDMA) networks, orthogonal FDMA(OFDMA) networks, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LIE networks,GSM networks, 5G networks, Internet of Everything networks, Internet ofThings networks, as well as other communications networks. As describedherein, the terms “networks” and “systems” may be used interchangeably.

A CDMA network may implement a radio technology such as universalterrestrial radio access (UTRA), cdma2000, and the like. UTRA includeswideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and low chip rate (LCR). CDMA2000 covers IS-2000,IS-95, and IS-856 standards.

A TDMA network may implement a radio technology such as Global Systemfor Mobile Communications (GSM). 3GPP defines standards for the GSM EDGE(enhanced data rates for GSM evolution) radio access network (RAN), alsodenoted as GERAN. GERAN is the radio component of GSM/EDGE, togetherwith the network that joins the base stations (for example, the Ater andAbis interfaces) and the base station controllers (interfaces, etc.).The radio access network represents a component of a GSM network,through which phone calls and packet data are routed from and to thepublic switched telephone network (PSTN) and Internet to and fromsubscriber handsets, also known as user terminals or user equipments(UEs). A mobile phone operator's network may comprise one or moreGERANs, which may be coupled with UTRANs in the case of a UMTS/GSMnetwork. An operator network may also include one or more LTE networks,and/or one or more other networks. The various different network typesmay use different radio access technologies (RATs) and radio accessnetworks RANs).

An OFDMA network may implement a radio technology such as evolved UTRA(E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, flash-OFDM and thelike. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM are part of universal mobiletelecommunication system (UMTS). In particular, long term evolution(LTE) is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS andLTE are described in documents provided from an organization named“3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP), and cdma2000 isdescribed in documents from an organization named “3^(rd) GenerationPartnership Project 2” (3GPP2). These various radio technologies andstandards are known or are being developed. For example, the 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration between groupsof telecommunications associations that aims to define a globallyapplicable third generation (3G) mobile phone specification. 3GPP longterm evolution (LTE) is a 3GPP project aimed at improving the universalmobile telecommunications system (UMTS) mobile phone standard. The 3GPPmay define specifications for the next generation of mobile networks,mobile systems, and mobile devices. For clarity, certain aspects of theapparatus and techniques may be described below for LTE implementationsor in an LTE centric way, and LTE terminology may be used asillustrative examples in portions of the description below; however, thedescription is not intended to be limited to LTE applications. Indeed,the present disclosure is concerned with shared access to wirelessspectrum between networks using different radio access technologies orradio air interfaces. Various types of networks may be used to deployembodiments and premises of the technology discussed herein.

A new carrier type based on LTE/LTE-A including in unlicensed spectrumhas also been suggested that can be compatible with carrier-grade WiFi,making LTE/LTE-A with unlicensed spectrum an alternative to WiFi.LTE/LTE-A, when operating in unlicensed spectrum, may leverage LTEconcepts and may introduce some modifications to physical layer (PHY)and media access control (MAC) aspects of the network or network devicesto provide efficient operation in the unlicensed spectrum and meetregulatory requirements. The unlicensed spectrum used may range from aslow as several hundred Megahertz (MHz) to as high as tens of Gigahertz(GHz), for example. In operation, such LIE/LTE-A networks may operatewith any combination of licensed or unlicensed spectrum depending onloading and availability. Accordingly, it may be apparent to one ofskill in the art that the systems, apparatus and methods describedherein may be applied to other communications systems and applications.

System designs may support various time-frequency reference signals forthe downlink and uplink to facilitate beamforming and other functions. Areference signal is a signal generated based on known data and may alsobe referred to as a pilot, preamble, training signal, sounding signal,and the like. A reference signal may be used by a receiver for variouspurposes such as channel estimation, coherent demodulation, channelquality measurement, signal strength measurement, and the like. MIMOsystems using multiple antennas generally provide for coordination ofsending of reference signals between antennas; however, LTE systems donot in general provide for coordination of sending of reference signalsfrom multiple base stations or eNBs.

In some implementations, a system may utilize time division duplexing(TDD). For TDD, the downlink and uplink share the same frequencyspectrum or channel, and downlink and uplink transmissions are sent onthe same frequency spectrum. The downlink channel response may thus becorrelated with the uplink channel response. Reciprocity may allow adownlink channel to be estimated based on transmissions sent via theuplink. These uplink transmissions may be reference signals or uplinkcontrol channels (which may be used as reference symbols afterdemodulation). The uplink transmissions may allow for estimation of aspace-selective channel via multiple antennas.

In LTE implementations, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) is used for the downlink—that is, from a base station, accesspoint or eNodeB (eNB) to a user terminal or UE. Use of OFDM meets theLTE requirement for spectrum flexibility and enables cost-efficientsolutions for very wide carriers with high peak rates, and is awell-established technology. For example, OFDM is used in standards suchas IEEE 802.11 a/g, 802.16, High Performance Radio LAN-2 (HIPERLAN-2,wherein LAN stands for Local Area Network) standardized by the EuropeanTelecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), Digital VideoBroadcasting (DVB) published by the Joint Technical Committee of ETSI,and other standards.

Time frequency physical resource blocks (also denoted here in asresource blocks or “RBs” for brevity) may be defined in OFDM systems asgroups of transport carriers (e.g. sub-carriers) or intervals that areassigned to transport data. The RBs are defined over a time andfrequency period. Resource blocks are comprised of time-frequencyresource elements (also denoted here in as resource elements or “REs”for brevity), which may be defined by indices of time and frequency in aslot. Additional details of LTE RBs and REs are described in the 3GPPspecifications, such as, for example, 3GPP TS 36.211.

UMTS LTE supports scalable carrier bandwidths from 20 MHz down to 1.4MHZ. In LTE, an RB is defined as 12 sub-carriers when the subcarrierbandwidth is 15 kHz, or 24 sub-carriers when the sub-carrier bandwidthis 7.5 kHz. In an exemplary implementation, in the time domain there isa defined radio frame that is 10 ms long and consists of 10 subframes of1 millisecond (ms) each. Every subframe consists of 2 slots, where eachslot is 0.5 ms. The subcarrier spacing in the frequency domain in thiscase is 15 kHz. Twelve of these subcarriers together (per slot)constitute an RB, so in this implementation one resource block is 180kHz. Six Resource blocks fit in a carrier of 1.4 MHz and 100 resourceblocks fit in a carrier of 20 MHz.

FIG. 1 shows a wireless network 100 for communication, which may be anLTE-A. network (other types of networks may also be utilized). Thewireless network 100 includes a number of evolved node Bs (eNBs) 105,gNBs, and other network entities. An eNB and/or gNB may be a stationthat communicates with the UEs and may also be referred to as a basestation, a node B, an access point, and the like. Each eNB 105 and/orgNB 105 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographicarea. The term “cell” can refer to this particular geographic coveragearea of an eNB and/or an eNB subsystem serving the coverage area,depending on the context in which the term is used.

An eNB may provide communication coverage for a macro cell or a smallcell, such as a pico cell or a femto cell, and/or other types of cell. Amacro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g.,several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEswith service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cell, suchas a pico cell, would generally cover a relatively smaller geographicarea and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptionswith the network provider. A small cell, such as a femto cell, wouldalso generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home)and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide restrictedaccess by UEs having an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in aclosed subscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, and the like).An eNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for asmall cell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femtoeNB or a home eNB. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the eNBs 105 a, 105 band 105 c are macro eNBs for the macro cells 110 a, 110 b and 110 c,respectively. The eNBs 105 x, 105 y, and 105 z are small cell eNBs,which may include pico or femto eNBs that provide service to small cells110 x, 110 y, and 110 z, respectively. An eNB may support one ormultiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells.

The wireless network 100 may support synchronous or asynchronousoperation. For synchronous operation, the eNBs may have similar frametiming, and transmissions from different eNBs may be approximatelyaligned in time. Synchronous networks may organize cells into zones,wherein a zone comprises a plurality of cells. The zones of a wirelessnetwork may allocate zone specific resources such that a may move freelythroughout a zone using the same zone specific resources as it travelsfrom one cell to another. For asynchronous operation, the eNBs may havedifferent frame timing, and transmissions from different eNBs may not bealigned in time.

The UEs 115 are dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and eachUE may be stationary or mobile. A UE may also be referred to as aterminal, a mobile station, a subscriber unit, a station, or the like. AUE may be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), awireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, atablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless localloop (WLL) station, watch, or the like. Regarding the Internet of Things(IoT), a UE may be referred to as a IoT UE which may be an appliance,thermostat, water meter, electric meter, gas meter, sprinkler system,refrigerator, hot water heater, oven, ear, navigation system, pacemaker, implanted medical device, location tracker, bicycle computer,entertainment device, television, monitor, vehicular component, vendingmachine, medical device, and the like. A UE may be able to communicatewith macro eNBs, pico eNBs, femto eNBs, relays, and the like. In FIG. 1,a lightning bolt (e.g., communication links 125) indicates desiredtransmissions between a UE and a serving eNB, which is an eNB designatedto serve the UE on the downlink and/or uplink, or desired transmissionbetween eNBs.

LTE/LTE-A utilizes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) onthe downlink and single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM)on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM partition the system bandwidth intomultiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred toas tones, bins, or the like. Each subcarrier may be modulated with data.In general, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain withOFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacentsuhcarriers may be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) may bedependent on the system bandwidth. For example, K may be equal to 72,180, 300, 600, 900, and 1200 for a corresponding system bandwidth of1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 megahertz (MHz), respectively. The systembandwidth may also be partitioned into sub-bands. For example, asub-band may cover 1.08 MHz, and there may be 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 sub-bandsfor a corresponding system bandwidth of 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 MHz,respectively. The devices illustrated in FIG. 1 are operable to carryout the techniques and operations disclosed herein.

As explained above, the growing demand for mobile broadband access hascreated an increase in communications between an eNB and a UE.Traditionally, all of the mobile originated (MO) data transmission stepsare performed before each MO transmission, and every mobile terminated(MT) transmission step is performed before every MT transmission.Typically, all of the setup steps are repeated a multitude of timesthroughout an hour tying up a considerable about of network bandwidthand LIE battery life. Further, because these steps are repeated for eachtransmission, the setup steps increase data latency. As such, it wouldbe desirable to have systems and methods that allow for the reduction ofthe aforementioned steps and communications prior to MO and/or MTcommunications. That being said, there may be times when performing mostor all of the previous steps may be appropriate due to the type of databeing sent, the mobility of the UE, and/or the status of the UE. Thus,it would be further desirable to have systems and methods operable todetermine which steps and communications are appropriate given thecircumstances and configure the USE to perform a reduced set of stepsand communications when appropriate and perform a robust set of stepsand communications when appropriate.

FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of a design of a base station/gNB/eNB 105and a UE 115, which may be one of the base stations/eNBs and one of theUEs in FIG. 1. For a restricted association scenario, the eNB 105 may bethe small cell eNB 105 z in FIG. 1, and the UE 115 may be the UE 115 z,which in order to access small cell eNB 105 z, would be included in alist of accessible UEs for small cell eNB 105 z. The eNB 105 may also bea base station of some other type. The eNB 105 may be equipped withantennas 234 a through 234 t and the UE 115 may be equipped withantennas 252 a through 252 r.

At the eNB 105, a transmit processor 220 may receive data from a datasource 212 and control information from a controller/processor 240. Thecontrol information may be for the PBCH, PCFICH, PHICH, PDCCH, etc. Thedata may be for the PDSCH, etc. The transmit processor 220 may process(e.g., encode and symbol map) the data and control information to obtaindata symbols and control symbols, respectively. The transmit processor220 may also generate reference symbols, e.g., for the PSS, SSS, andcell-specific reference signal. A transmit (TX) multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 may perform spatial processing(e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, and/or thereference symbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streamsto the modulators (MODs) 232 a through 232 t. Each modulator 232 mayprocess a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) toobtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 232 may further process(e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the outputsample stream to obtain a downlink signal. Downlink signals frommodulators 232 a through 232 t may be transmitted via the antennas 234 athrough 234 t, respectively.

At the UE 115, the antennas 252 a through 252 r may receive the downlinksignals from the eNB 105 and may provide received signals to thedemodulators (DEMODs) 254 a through 254 r, respectively. Eachdemodulator 254 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, anddigitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples. Eachdemodulator 254 may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM,etc.) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 may obtainreceived symbols from all the demodulators 254 a through 254 r, performMIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and providedetected symbols. A receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate,deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data forthe UE 115 to a data sink 260, and provide decoded control informationto a controller/processor 280.

On the uplink, at the UE 115, a transmit processor 264 may receive andprocess data (e.g., for the PUSCH) from a data source 262 and controlinformation (e.g., for the PUCCH) from the controller/processor 280. Thetransmit processor 264 may also generate reference symbols for areference signal. The symbols from the transmit processor 264 may bepreceded by a TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed bythe modulators 254 a through 254 r (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), andtransmitted to the eNB 105. At the eNB 105, the uplink signals from theUE 115 may be received by the antennas 234, processed by thedemodulators 232, detected by a MIMO detector 236 if applicable, andfurther processed by a receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data andcontrol information sent by the UE 115. The processor 238 may providethe decoded data to a data sink 239 and the decoded control informationto the controller/processor 240.

The controllers/processors 240 and 280 may direct the operation at theeNB 105 and the UE 115, respectively. The controller/processor 240and/or other processors and modules at the eNB 105 may perform or directthe execution of various processes for the techniques described herein.The controllers/processor 280 and/or other processors and modules at theLIE 115 may also perform or direct the execution of the functional Hocksillustrated in FIGS. 3-5, and/or other processes for the techniquesdescribed herein. The memories 242 and 282 may store data and programcodes for the eNB 105 and the UE 115, respectively. A scheduler 244 mayschedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a UE configuredaccording to some embodiments, UE 115 comprises one or more antennasubarrays 202 a-202 n. An antenna subarray 202 a may include multipleindividual antennas 203 a-203 n. An antenna subarray 202 a may becontrolled by an RFIC 201 a. UE 115 may include a plurality of radiofrequency integrated circuits (RFICs), each of which control arespective antenna subarray. For example, RFID 201 a may control antennasubarray 202 a; RFID 201 b may control antenna subarray 202 b; RFID 201c may control antenna subarray 202 c; and RFID 201 n may control antennasubarray 202 n.

One or more of RFIC 201 a-201 n may be configured to support dualconnectivity, wherein the RFIC can send and receive informationaccording to more than one connectivity scheme. For example, RFIC 201 amay switch modes in order to support communications according to 3Gschemes (e.g., microwaves), LTE schemes (e.g., microwaves), and/or 5Gschemes (e.g, mmW) as is desired at any given time. One or more of RFIC201 a-201 n may operate to form beams in differing directions. Theability to form beams in differing directions increases the chances thata beam may be formed in a direction that supports qualitycommunications.

Base station 105 and UE 115 may share one or more common code book. Thecode book may be stored in a memory of UE 115 (e.g., memory 282). Thecode book may comprise beam codes which differ at least indirectionality. During beam scanning, a processor (e.g.,controller/processor 280) may process through the beam codes in the codebook. Based at least on one or more reference signal received power(RSRP) metric, reference signal received quality (RSRQ) metric, and/orreference signal strength indicator (RSSI) metric, the processor maydetermine current characteristics of the various beams at that time.Having determined the current conditions of the various beams at thattime, the processor may determine which of the beams show the highestlikelihood of successful communication as compared to the other beams.

Because base station 105 and UE 115 share a common codebook, processorsof base station 105 and processors of UE 115 may each perform beamscanning. Controller/processor 280 of UE 115 may perform independentbeam scanning for each respective RFIC. For example,controller/processor 280 may perform beam scanning specifically for RFIC201 a; controller/processor 280 may perform beam scanning specificallyfor RFIC 201 b; controller/processor 280 may perform beam scanningspecifically for RFIC 201 c; and controller/processor 280 may performbeam scanning specifically for RFIC 201 n. Further, beam scanning may besupported in multiple connectivities. For example, beam scanning may beperformed while connected via LTE. Further, beam scanning may beperformed while connected via 5G.

UE 115 may also comprise one or more sensors, Example sensors includebut are not limited to a motion sensor 206, a gyroscope 205, anaccelerometer 204, and a Doppler sensor 207. UE 115 may locate any ofthe various sensors throughout the UE and may include one or more of thevarious sensors (e.g., multiple motion sensors, multiple gyros, etc.).Some or all of the components shown in FIG. 2B may be used to performthe methods described below.

FIG. 3 illustrates example method 300 of adjusting beam scanning basedat least on a rate of change using systems disclosed herein. Inembodiments, UE 115 is assigned a beam scanning frequency. For example,the assigned frequency may be statically stored in the UE. In anotherexample, base station 105 sends UE 115 a beam scanning frequencyassignment. In this example, a base station may send a beam scanningassignment upon the base station becoming the UE's serving base station(e.g., when UE 115 powers up, when UE is passed to base station 105, andthe like). In embodiments, base station 105 may assign one or more UE toa beam scanning frequency of 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, or the like. In theexample of a 5 ms scanning frequency, UE 115 performs the assigned beamscanning by beam scanning every period of 5 ms. The originally assignedbeam scanning frequency assignment may be standardized (e.g., 10 ms).The originally assigned beam scanning frequency may be based ontransmission conditions (e.g. atmospheric conditions, data traffic,etc.) as determined by the base station or UE. And/or, the originalassignment may be based on a combination of the standardization andtransmission conditions. In this example, at step 301, UE 115 performsbeam scanning according to the assigned beam scanning frequency.

In step 302, a processor determines a rate of change. In embodiments,controller processor 280 of UE 115 determines the rate of change.Additionally or alternatively, controller processor 240 of base station105 may determine the rate of change. Then, in step 303, based on thedetermined rate of change or combined determined rate of changes,controller processor 280 of UE 115 and/or controller processor 240 ofbase station 105 adjusts the beam scanning frequency. UE 115 and/or basestation 105 may adjust the beam scanning frequency by increasing thefrequency, decreasing the frequency, or maintaining the frequency as itis.

Base station 105 may increase or decrease beam scanning frequency byassigning a different beam scanning frequency. For example, base station105 may change the beam scanning frequency assignment from 10 ms to 5ms. In another example, base station 105 may change the beam scanningfrequency assignment from 10 ms to 20 ms. Further, base station 105 mayinstruct UE 115 to skip n scans for every N assigned scans, wherein iiis a subset of N.

UE 115 may increase or decrease its beam scanning frequency by adjustingthe periods between which it performs a beam scan. For example, UE 115may decrease the period of time between performing beam scanning from 10ms to 5 ms. In another example, UE 115 may increase the period of timebetween scanning from 10 ms to 20 ms. Further, UE 115 may decrease itsbeam scanning frequency by skipping one or more of the assigned scans(e.g., the base station assigned scan). For example, if the base stationassigned a scanning frequency of 10 ms, UE 115 may decide to skip threeof four successively assigned frequency scans (e.g., ratio of ¾). Ineffect, UE 115 would be beam scanning every period of 40 ms even thoughthe base station assigned beam scanning frequency at 10 ms. In anotherexample, a UE 115 that is skipping beam scans (e.g., according to aratio, such as ¾) can increase its beam scanning frequency by reducingthe skipping rate (e.g., reduce the skipping ratio, such as to ½).

Changes to the beam scan frequency may be made in a single change step.Alternatively, changes to the beam scan frequency may be incremental,for example, a constant rate of change or a ramp-up/ramp-down (e.g.,each change increases/decreases by a factor or exponentially). Forexample, UE 115 may change its current beam scan frequency to theassigned beam scan frequency in a single step (e.g., switch from 5 ms to10 ms periods). In an example of incremental change, if UE 115 iscurrently skipping three of four (¾) assigned beam scans, UE 115 canincrease the current beam scan frequency by skipping two of four ( 2/4)assigned beam scans for a period of time, then skipping one of four (¼)assigned beam scans for a period of time, then skipping zero of four (0/4) assigned frequency scans. Such a progressive method may be used totest various beam scan frequencies, allowing for a beam scan frequencydetermination to be made based on the tests.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example method 400 a wherein the rate of changeis based on mobility (e.g., a UE's mobility). In step 401 a, a processordetermines a mobility rate of change. In embodiments, controllerprocessor 280 of UE 115 determines and/or estimates its relative motionfrom serving base station 105 using a motion sensor 206, gyro 205,accelerometer 204, and/or any combination thereof. Additionally oralternatively, a Doppler sensor or detector 207 of UE 115 determinesand/or estimates its relative motion from dominant dusters in thepresent channel using a Doppler estimation algorithm. Next, based on thedetermined rate of change, adjustment to the current beam scanningfrequency is desired. In step 402 a, based on the determined mobilityrate of change, controller processor 280 of UE 115 decides whetherreducing the current beam scanning frequency is desired. For example, ifcontroller processor 280 of UE 115 determines that the mobility rate ofchange is above a mobility threshold range, then method 400 a moves tostep 403 a, wherein the controller processor 280 reduces the currentbeam scanning frequency. Examples of beam scanning frequency reductionsare described above. Thereafter, the method moves to FIG. 4B, which isexplained in more detail below.

If in step 402 a, controller processor 280 of UE 115 decides the currentbeam scanning frequency should not be reduced, method 400 a moves tostep 404 a. In step 404 a, based on the determined mobility rate ofchange, controller processor 280 of UE 115 decides whether the currentbeam scanning frequency should be increased. For example, if controllerprocessor 280 of UE 115 determines that the mobility rate of change isbelow a mobility threshold range, then method 400 a moves to step 405 a,wherein the controller processor 280 increases the current beam scanningfrequency, Examples of beam scanning frequency increases are describedabove. If in step 404 a controller processor 280 of UE 115 determinesthat the mobility rate of change is within a mobility threshold range,then method 400 a moves to step 406 a, wherein the current beam scanningfrequency is maintained (e.g., not increased or decreased). Thereafter,method 400 a may be repeated as desired (e.g., periodically, upon adetected change in condition, and/or the like).

FIG. 4B illustrates an example method 400 b, which reduces beam scanningfrequency. Reducing beam scanning frequency (e.g., increasing theperiods between beam scans) may be called low mobility mode. Inembodiments, there may be a plurality of tiers of low mobility mode,wherein the lower the mobility rate of change, the lower the lowmobility mode tier. At step 401 b, similar to step 403 a, a controllerprocessor 280 determines that scan frequency reduction is desired. Instep 402 b, controller processor 280 of UE 115 determines whether torequest a reduced scanning frequency assignment from base station 105.UE 115 may make this determination based on all the sensor data it hascollected over the past few time periods. If UE 115 decides to request areduced beam scanning frequency from base station 105, then transmitprocessor 264 of UE 115 may send a scanning frequency assignmentreduction request to receive processor 238 of base station 105. Afterreceiving the request, in step 403 b, control processor 240 of basestation 105 determines whether to reduce the current beam scanningfrequency of UE 115, Base station 105 may make this determination basedon all the requests of all the UEs that are serviced within the cell bythat base station. If controller processor 240 of base station 105decides to reduce the current beam scanning frequency assignment of UE115, transmit processor 230 of base station 105 transmits a new beamscanning frequency assignment to receive processor 258 of UE 115. Thetransmitted new beam scanning frequency assignment is reduced ascompared to the current scanning frequency assignment. After receivingthe new beam scanning frequency assignment, UE 115 adjusts its scanningfrequency accordingly in step 404 b. As is explained above, UE 115 mayswitch to the new beam scanning frequency assignment or reach the newbeam scanning frequency assignment incrementally. Thereafter, futurebeam scans are performed according to the new scanning frequencyassignment.

If at step 402 b, UE 115 decides to reduce its current beam scanningfrequency without requesting a new scanning frequency assignment frombase station 105, then UE moves to step 407 b. UE 115 may make thisdetermination based on whether it stands to benefit by informing thebase station of its need to reduce its beam scanning frequency. In step407 b, UE 115 autonomously reduces its current beam scanning frequency.As is explained above, UE 115 may switch to the new beam scanningfrequency or reach the new beam scanning frequency incrementally. UE 115may or may not inform base station 105 of the frequency reduction.Thereafter, method 400 a may be repeated as desired (e.g., periodically,upon a detected change in condition, and/or the like).

If at step 403 b, base station 105 decides to deny the scanningfrequency assignment reduction request of UE 115, then at step 408 b, UE115 determines whether to adjust the beam scanning frequencyautonomously. UE 115 may make this determination based on whether suchan autonomous scanning frequency change does not violate any of the beamassignments made by the base station (such as those on CQI, PMI and RI).If UE 115 acquiesces to base station's 105 denial, then UE's beamscanning frequency is maintained (e.g., remains the same), step 409 b.UE 115 may make this determination based on the possible violation ofany base station assignment upon a scanning frequency change.Thereafter, method 400 a may be repeated as desired (e.g., periodically,upon a detected change in condition, and/or the like).

If UE 115 decides to reduce its beam scanning frequency despite basestation's 105 denial, then method 400 b moves to step 407 b. In step 407b, UE 115 autonomously reduces the current beam scanning frequency. Asis explained above, UE 115 may switch to the new beam scanning frequencyor reach the new beam scanning frequency incrementally. UE 115 may ormay not inform base station 105 of the reduction. Thereafter, method 400a may be repeated as desired (e.g., periodically, upon a detected changein condition, and/or the like).

FIG. 4C illustrates an example method 400 c, which increases the beamscanning frequency. Increasing a beam scanning frequency (e.g., reducingthe periods between beam scans) may be called high mobility mode.Determination factors described above may be used in method 400 c. Inembodiments, there may be a plurality of tiers of high mobility mode,wherein the higher the mobility rate of change, the higher the highmobility mode tier. At step 401 c, similar to step 405 a, a controllerprocessor 280 determines that a scan frequency increase is desired. Instep 402 c, controller processor 280 of UE 115 determines whether torequest an increased scanning frequency assignment from base station105. If UE 115 decides to request an increased beam scanning frequencyfrom base station 105, then transmit processor 264 of UE 115 may send ascanning frequency assignment increase request to receive processor 238of base station 105. After receiving the request, in step 403 b, controlprocessor 240 of base station 105 determines whether to increase thecurrent beam scanning frequency of UE 115. If controller processor 240of base station 105 decides to increase the current beam scanningfrequency assignment of UE 115, transmit processor 230 of base station105 transmits a new beam scanning frequency assignment to receiveprocessor 258 of UE 115. The transmitted new beam scanning frequencyassignment is increased as compared to the current scanning frequencyassignment. After receiving the new beam scanning frequency assignment,UE 115 adjusts its scanning frequency accordingly in step 404 c. As isexplained above, UE 115 may switch to the new beam scanning frequencyassignment or reach the new beam scanning frequency assignmentincrementally. Examples are above. Thereafter, future beam scans areperformed according to the new scanning frequency assignment.

If at step 402 c, UE 115 decides to increase its current beam scanningfrequency without requesting a new scanning frequency assignment frombase station 105, then UE moves to step 407 b. In step 407 c, UE 115autonomously increases its current beam scanning frequency. As isexplained above, UE 115 may switch to the new beam scanning frequency orreach the new beam scanning frequency incrementally. UE 115 may or maynot inform base station 105 of the frequency increase. Thereafter,method 400 a may be repeated as desired (e.g., periodically, upon adetected change in condition, amid/or the like).

If at step 403 c, base station 105 decides to deny the scanningfrequency assignment increase request of UE 115, then at step 408 b, UE115 determines whether to adjust the beam scanning frequencyautonomously. If UE 115 acquiesces to base station's 105 denial, thenUE's beam scanning frequency is maintained (e.g., remains the same),step 409 c. Thereafter, method 400 a may be repeated as desired (e.g.,periodically, upon a detected change in condition, and/or the like).

If UE 115 decides to increase its beam scanning frequency despite basestation's 105 denial, then method 400 c moves to step 407 c. In step 407c, UE 115 autonomously increases the current beam scanning frequency. Asis explained above, UE 115 may switch to the new beam scanning frequencyor reach the new beam scanning frequency incrementally. Examples areabove. UE 115 may or may not inform base station 105 of the increase.Thereafter, method 400 a may be repeated as desired (e.g., periodically,upon a detected change in condition, and/or the like).

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 wherein the rate of change isbased on beam variance (e.g., changes in the beams over x number of beamscans). In step 501, a processor determines a beam variance rate ofchange. In embodiments, controller processor 280 of UE 115 determines anamount of beam changes that occurred during x beam sweeps. If desired,each counted beam change may be weighted by a factor representing asignificance of the beam change, wherein a beam selection is compared toits adjacent beam selection. In step 502, based on the determined beamvariance rate of change, controller processor 280 of UE 115 decideswhether reducing the current beam scanning frequency is desired. Forexample, if controller processor 280 of UE 115 determines that the beamvariance rate of change is above a beam variance threshold range, thenmethod 500 moves to step 503, wherein the controller processor 280reduces the current beam scanning frequency. Examples of reducing areabove.

If in step 502, controller processor 280 of UE 115 decides the currentbeam scanning frequency should not be reduced, method 500 moves to step504. In step 504, based on the determined beam variance rate of change,controller processor 280 of UE 115 decides whether the current beamscanning frequency should be increased. For example, if controllerprocessor 280 of UE 115 determines that the beam variance rate of changeis below a beam variance threshold range, then method 500 moves to step505, wherein the controller processor 280 increases the current beamscanning frequency. Examples of beam scanning frequency increases aredescribed above. If in step 504 controller processor 280 of UE 115determines that the beam variance rate of change is within a beamvariance threshold range, then method 500 moves to step 506, wherein thecurrent beam scanning frequency maintained (e.g., not increased ordecreased). Thereafter, method 500 may be repeated as desired (e.g.,periodically, upon a detected change in condition, and/or the like).

In some embodiment, UE 115 may determine that the beam variance is abovea refined beam variance threshold range despite having already reducedits beam scanning frequency. In such a case, UE 115 may inform basestation 105 that it is already in a high mobility mode or the highestmobility mode (e.g., short period between beam scanning such as 5 ms, 1ms, etc.). UE 115 may also send a request to base station 105 requestingbeam refinement via a CSI-RS (channel state information referencesignal). If base station 105 determines that a beam refinement iswarranted, base station 105 sends a UE 115 beam refinement information,which UE 115 uses to refine its beam.

Of course, UE 115 may combine methods 400 a and 500 such that beamscanning frequencies are adjusted based on a combination of mobility andbeam variances. Further, UE 115 may adjust its beam scanning frequencybased on historical and/or statistical information of beam changesovertime corresponding to mobility tracking over time.

Further still, different scanning frequencies may be adopted bydifferent antenna arrays 202 a-202 n within a single UE 115. Forinstance, UE 115 having a plurality of antenna arrays 202 a-202 n, oneor more of the antenna arrays may perform beam scanning at a differentfrequency as compared to one or more of the other antenna arrays. Forexample, 202 a may perform beam scanning at the same or differentfrequency as compared to 202 b as compared to 202 c as compared to 202n. UE 115 may simultaneously adopt two, three, four, or more differentbeam scanning frequencies according to any of the methods describedabove as is desired.

In embodiments, UE 115 may use an orientation change to trigger aproactive determination regarding whether to adjust the scanningfrequency of one or more antenna. subarray 203 a-203 n, For example,after performing one of the methods described above, UE 115 maydetermine that reduction of the scanning frequency of antenna subarray302 a is desired. In embodiments, UE 115 then reduces the scanningfrequency of antenna subarray 302 a. Thereafter, if gyro 205 detectsthat the orientation of UE 115 has changed (e.g., rotated 90 degreesfrom landscape to portfolio), UE 115 may proactively determine whetheradjusting the scanning frequency of antenna subarray 302 a is desirable.In order to act proactively, UE 115 may adjust the beam scanningfrequency of antenna subarray 302 a prior to one of the threshold rangesdescribed above being breached. Likewise, UE 115 may use this techniqueto independently and proactively adjust the scanning frequency of theother antenna subarrays 202 n-202 n.

In embodiments, UE 115 may use methods described above to adjust thevarious antenna subarrays' scanning frequencies. Additionally oralternatively, UE 115 may rely on historical data and/or statisticaldata when adjusting the antenna subarrays. For example, if in the recentpast (e.g., 100 ms, 2 seconds, 10 seconds, and/or the like) this newportfolio orientation of the UE 115 benefited from known scanningfrequencies, then UE 115 may restore those known beneficial scanningfrequencies to the respective antenna arrays. For instance, while UE 115is in a landscape orientation, antenna subarray 302 a is operating at a5 ms scanning frequency and antenna subarray 302 b is operating at alower beam scanning frequency (e.g., 10 ms). Then, when UE 115 isflipped to profile orientation, gyro 205 detects the rotation.Controller processor 280 may determine or have previously determinedthat such an orientation change lends to antenna subarray 302 aoperating effectively at a low beam scanning frequency (e.g., 20 ms) andantenna subarray 302 b operating effectively at a comparatively higherbeam scanning frequency (e.g., 5 ms). In this example, controllerprocessor 280 may proactively change the scanning frequencies of thevarious antenna arrays before a mobility threshold range, beam variancethreshold range, and/or refined beam variance threshold range isbreached.

The foregoing concepts are applicable with respect to a number ofcommunication system and network element configurations. For example,the exemplary implementations discussed may be utilized with respect tonetwork elements having single input single output (SISO), single inputmultiple output (SIMO), multiple input single output (MISO), and/ormultiple input multiple output (MIMO) configurations. With MIMObeamforming, uplink-downlink mixed interference is likely to have lessimpact due in part because transmit beamforming allows the transmitterto control the directionality of its signal, receiver nulling allows thereceiver to emphasize its desired signal over the interference, and/or3D antenna array configuration allows further interference rejection dueto elevation angular separation. Nevertheless, the use of jamming graphfor a MIMO configuration is similar to that of a SISO configuration. Afew refinements to be considered with respect to a MIMO configuration,however, include the beamforming direction may be selected keeping mixedinterference in mind to reduce jamming impact (e.g., the beam selectionmay be performed in a way that maximizes the signal to leakage ratio),the IoT resulting from the best beam direction should be compared withthe tolerable IoT to determine the power back-off, and the IoTcomputation should take into account the MIMO beamforming, receivernulling and elevation angular separation.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

The functional blocks and modules in the figures may compriseprocessors, electronics devices, hardware devices, electronicscomponents, logical circuits, memories, software codes, firmware codes,etc., or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the disclosure herein may be implemented as electronichardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearlyillustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, variousillustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have beendescribed above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present disclosure. Skilled artisans will also readilyrecognize that the order or combination of components, methods, orinteractions that are described herein are merely examples and that thecomponents, methods, or interactions of the various aspects of thepresent disclosure may be combined or performed in ways other than thoseillustrated and described herein.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performedwith a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Ageneral-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with thedisclosure herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a softwaremodule executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. Asoftware module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that theprocessor can read information from, and write information to, thestorage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integralto the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in anASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, theprocessor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in auser terminal.

In one or more exemplary designs, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computerstorage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another.Computer-readable storage media may be any available media that can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can compriseRAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that canbe used to carry or store desired program code means in the form ofinstructions or data structures and that can be accessed by ageneral-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose orspecial-purpose processor. Also, a connection may be properly termed acomputer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmittedfrom a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable,fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL), thenthe coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or DSL, are includedin the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includescompact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc(DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable anyperson skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Variousmodifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited tothe examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication method that selectivelyadjusts a beam scanning periodicity for wireless transmissioncomprising: performing radio frequency (RF) communications beam scanningat an initial periodicity, wherein the beam scanning changes betweendifferent beams of a predetermined list of beams having differingdirectionality; and based at least on a comparison of a determinedmobility rate of change to a mobility threshold range, increasing theperiodicity at which the beam scanning is performed as compared to theinitial periodicity based at least on the mobility rate of change beingbelow the mobility threshold range, wherein the increasing theperiodicity increases a time period between beam scans of the beamscanning by skipping one or more scheduled scannings of the initialperiodicity.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: returning theperforming of the beam scanning to the initial periodicity.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: decreasing the periodicity atwhich the beam scanning is performed based at least on the mobility rateof change being above the mobility threshold range, wherein thedecreasing the periodicity decreases a time period between beam scans ofthe beam scanning.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:maintaining the periodicity at which the beam scanning is performedbased at least on the mobility rate of change being within the mobilitythreshold range.
 5. A non-transitory computer-readable medium havingprogram code recorded thereon, which causes user equipment (UE) toselectively adjust a beam scanning periodicity for wirelesstransmission, the program code comprising: code for performing radiofrequency (RF) communications beam scanning at an initial periodicity,wherein the beam scanning changes between different beams of apredetermined list of beams having differing directionality; and basedat least on a comparison of a determined mobility rate of change to amobility threshold range, code for increasing the periodicity at whichthe beam scanning is performed as compared to the initial periodicitybased at least on the mobility rate of change being below the mobilitythreshold range, wherein the increasing the periodicity increases a timeperiod between beam scans of the beam scanning by skipping one or morescheduled scannings of the initial periodicity.
 6. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 5, further comprising: code forreturning the performing of the beam scanning to the initialperiodicity.
 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5,the code further comprising: code for decreasing the periodicity atwhich the beam scanning is performed based at least on the mobility rateof change being above the mobility threshold range, wherein decreasingthe periodicity decreases a time period between beam scans of the beamscanning.
 8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5, thecode further comprising: code for maintaining the periodicity at whichthe beam scanning is performed based at least on the mobility rate ofchange being within the mobility threshold range.
 9. A wirelesscommunication user equipment (UE) that selectively adjusts a beamscanning periodicity for wireless transmission comprising: a controlprocessor that performs radio frequency (RF) communications beamscanning at an initial periodicity, wherein the beam scanning changesbetween different beams of a predetermined list of beams havingdiffering directionality, and wherein based at least on a comparison ofa determined mobility rate of change to a mobility threshold range, thecontrol processor increases the periodicity at which the beam scanningis performed as compared to the initial periodicity based at least onthe mobility rate of change being below the mobility threshold range,wherein increasing the periodicity increases a time period between beamscans of the beam scanning by skipping one or more scheduled scanningsof the initial periodicity.
 10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the controlprocessor returns the periodicity at which the beam scanning isperformed to the initial periodicity.
 11. The UE of claim 9, wherein thecontrol processor decreases the periodicity at which the beam scanningis performed based at least on the mobility rate of change being abovethe mobility threshold range, wherein decreasing the periodicitydecreases a time period between beam scans of the beam scanning.
 12. TheUE of claim 9, wherein the control processor maintains the periodicityat which the beam scanning is performed based at least on the mobilityrate of change being within the mobility threshold range.